The irony in the title is that while the 1987 Robbin Williams starrer was based on the US war in Vietnam during the 60s and 70s, this post is about a 21st Century trade pact where the former is still trying to “make the world more like them“. Let me explain. The United States is one of the few… Continue reading Part II: Good morning, Vietnam!

The TPP is definitely the talk of the town. It’s mentioned everywhere. In newspaper op-eds to academic articles. You may have heard of it – a massive “free-trade” pact between 12 (majorly pacific-rim) countries, spearheaded by the United States. Apart from Vietnam, Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) members include countries like New Zealand, Australia, Brunei, Singapore, Peru and Mexico. The double-quotations around the… Continue reading Let’s talk about the TPP: Part I

Starting today, the dozen countries involved in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will begin a new round of talks in Ho Chi Minh City. The four day meeting will be followed up with a ministerial gathering from 19th to 20th May in Singapore. The centre of attention will be the US-Japan deadlock, while the other 10 countries, including Australia… Continue reading Part II of the US-Japan sage: Follow up on TPP talks in Vietnam